Vestris, Lucia Elisabeth |
| ACTOR, SINGER, THEATRE MANAGER (ENGLAND) |
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BORN 1797, London: Soho - DIED 8 Aug 1856, London BIRTH NAME Bartolozzi, Lucia Elizabeth CAUSE OF DEATH cancer GRAVE LOCATION London: Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, Kensal Green (027/3 (13349) (headstone destroyed)) |
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Daughter of the engraver Gaetano Bartolozzi anf the German pianist Theresa Jansen. When she was 16 she married her ballet master, the dancer Auguste-Armand Vestris, who was the ballet master at the King's Theatre. The marriage failed. In 1817 she enjoyed success in "Giovanni" in London, based on Mozart's "Don Giovanni". In 1820 she made her debut at Drury Lane and rose to fame in "The Haunted Tower". She had a great voice and it was said that she was among the best singing actresses that ever appeared on the stage. In 1830 she became the manager of the Olympic Theatre and her management was instantly successful. By that time she was known as Madame Vestris. In 1838 she married the actor Charles Mathews just before they toured the USA unsuccessfully. Afterwards she assisted him with the management of Covent Garden (1839-1847) and the Lyceum (1847-1854). At the Lyceum they staged French plays, then a novelty in England. Family • Husband: Mathews, Charles (1838-1856) Related persons • knew Keene, Laura • was a friend of Webster, Benjamin Nottingham Events |
| 19/2/1820 | Lucia Vestris debuts at the Drury Lane Theatre in London |
| 4/11/1839 | Premiere of "Love" by James Sheridan Knowles at Covent Garden. The cast included Charles Selby, James Vining, Alfred Wigan, William Payne, Ellen Tree and Lucia Vestris. It was praised by Mary Shelley. The play was also successfullt performed in the USA. Later it was named "The Countess and the Serf". |
| 4/3/1841 | Premiere of "London Assurance" by Dion Boucicault in London. It was Boucicaults second play but the first one that was performed. It was staged at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, London. Madame Vestris played Grace Harkaway, Charles Matthews played Dazzle and Luisa Nesbitt was Lady Gay Spanker. [Boucicault, Dion][Mathews, Charles] |
Sources • Crawford, Anne and others, The Europa Biographical Dictionary of British Women, Europa Publications Ltd, London, 1983 • Vincent, Benjamin, Haydn's Dictionary of Dates, and Universal Information, Ward, Lock & Co, London, 1906 • Paths of Glory, The Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery, London, 1997 • Vestris, Lucia Elizabeth (Bartolozzi) | Infoplease • London Assurance - Wikipedia (EN) • Love (play) - Wikipedia (EN) |